Nobody Does It BetterRadiohead / Cover - Original by Carly SimonLike Thom says just before he starts singing, it's the sexiest song ever written...but as much as I like Carly's version...I gotta say that Radiohead does it better.Mellon Collie and the Infinite SadnessSmashing Pumpkins / Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness: Dawn to DuskBeautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

I Love You AnywaysTravis / Good Feeling*sigh* I love the slowness of this song...

Come On Get HigherMatt Nathanson / Some Mad Hopemmm...this song is so mad hot.

4.20.2008

Jeff Krantz is quite a talented singer and songwriter. If you've seen any of my recent blogs, been to my facebook or myspace pages, or talked to me in the past couple weeks, you are bound to have heard of him from me.

Or maybe you've discovered him on your own.

His name is getting out there, receiving coverage from Newsweek, Billboard magazine, CNN, etc. Jeff was recently nominated for the Best Male Artist of the Year award from the IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards). Check out his website for more details about this talented musician. www.jeffkrantzmusic.com

He performs in the virtual world of Second Life (look for him under the name Hep Shepherd).In fact, here is an incredible performance of "Stand By Me" (one of my favorite songs...EVER) on YouTube below:

Either way, if you haven't listened to him yet, you are missing out. So get to it and listen already. :-)

You can read how I came across his music and he became a muse for me, HERE. I wrote that entry just over a week ago on my other blog, but have since reposted it on this one.

I've since exchanged a few more emails with him and appreciate that Jeff takes the time to stay in touch. I shared that I would be creating this new blog specifically focused on music related coverage.

His music, and the communication with him as a fellow artist, have after all, been a major influence on me lately. Going beyond his music, lyrics, and talent...it's Jeff himself, who inspires me.

Since he is currently working on his debut album, I have to get my fix from three songs currently available to tickle our ears and inspire our hearts. Which, right now are on his myspace page and include:

"Last Goodbye"

"Wasteland"

"Your Ways"

I am eagerly awaiting his debut album's release and a possible fall tour on the East Coast. I'm hoping that it will include nearby Athens, GA. That, of course, will definitely give me more about him to write about. Meanwhile, I couldn't start this blog without including him in one of the first few entries! Thank you, Jeff!

Get used to his name. Like I said earlier, his music is getting out there. I know you'll be seeing him in my future blog entries...guaranteed.

4.19.2008

I just reposted some blogs I wrote last week. Moved them here because they are music related and at the time they were written, A Million Watts of Sound did not exist. They have been noted at the top with the original date they were written on my personal blog.

Now, I'm no music snob, because I do have diverse music interests. I can listen to jazz, classical, r&b, reggae, industrial, etc. Just depends on the mood. But my favorite musicians fall more along the lines of alternative rock, indie, folk, electronic/ambient and punk.

It seems that the new music in the mainstream today is just hard to connect with. Everything seems to sound so "manufactured". Where is the love, the soul, the passion anymore? What happened to pushing creativity to higher limits and expressing ones individuality?

Come on, musicians, fellow artists!I don't want to hear music that is just made because you think it's what I want to hear and then I'll go buy your music and merchandise and you'll be filthy rich!

I want to hear the music that's inside you...that you can't wait for the world to discover...that bares your soul and all that you are! That's what I love to listen to! To be inspired by!

WHERE IS THE LOVE?

Which brings me to the next 2 sections of this blog entry. My Muses: AA Bondy and Jeff Krantz.

Now, I'm sure if you've been reading my blog, you'll have seen this name a bunch of times already. And you should know, how much I dig his music.

I won't talk too much about his actual music here, since I gave a bit of a review on his 40 Watt show already.

Instead, I'd like to share more of how he as a musician has made an impact on me.

I first discovered his music about a month ago. His song, "There's A Reason" aired on the 03/06/08 episode of the tv show, Eli Stone. Even though just a portion of it played, the lyrics and melody grabbed my attention.
A lot has been changing for me over the past few months, and "There's A Reason"just hit home. I kept thinking about reasons for all kinds of things. Reasons I ended up in GA. Reasons why I hadn't left. I thought of numerous experiences that led up to the person I've become and am growing to be. I truly felt this song in my heart.

I had to find out who was singing and what the song was! Well, I did and I got the album from itunes the next day and have been listening to it ever since. It's still my favorite track on the entire album, but the collection of songs on American Hearts is all really good!

Anyways, a couple weeks later, I decided to finally start writing again. I wrote so much when I was younger, and I'd been meaning to get back to it. Even had a few hand written journal entries at home... But I knew I needed to be more consistent. This song inspired some thoughts, and one day I started writing. If you haven't read it already, you can go to the archives and see that my second blog entry is entitled "There's A Reason". I feel pretty good that I've been really consistent with it too. Only missing a day here and there.

So now, yesterday, I got an email on myspace from this artist named Jeff Krantz. I figure it's one of those spam emails looking for more people to join their page, and almost deleted it.

After seeing Bondy's show the night before, I thought, heck...I'll see what this guy's music is about at least. He might be good. So I did.

Oh my gosh! He's really, really good! And I told him so. He actually wrote me back a couple really nice replies too. I had mentioned just seeing Bondy perform, and apparently they'd both played SXSW recently. Very cool.

I've only heard his 3 songs, that are currently available for our listening pleasure. But he's working on an album to be released soon and I can't wait. I am so hooked.

One of the songs I really love, is called "Last Goodbye". I made it the song on my myspace page (which for the past month had naturally, been Bondy's "There's A Reason") because it's my favorite of the 3 he has posted there.

I like it because I can relate to it. The lyrics and the music express his heartfelt soul and passion so beautifully. Upon hearing a stripped down older version of "Last Goodbye", I was left completely floored. It actually made me tear up. Good thing I had waterproof mascara on. LOL.

Seriously though, it hit a nerve and really moved me. Now, the reasons for that song meaning so much to me come from a place that I'm no longer at. So for it to affect me the way that it did, shows just how Jeff's music has made a connection with me. That is not an easy accomplishment either.

It reached into a place I'd already boxed up and put away. It pulled feelings out of me that I hadn't felt in a long time. But I wasn't left full of pain and heartache again, as one would expect. Rather, I started reflecting on who I was a year ago, and who I am now. I look back at how much has changed and how my life is so much better.

It left me thinking how powerful music is. How it can spark something inside another person miles away and in such a personal manner.

I've been rediscovering alot of my creative talents lately and picking up a few new ones.

When I used to write alot before, poetry was one of the ways I expressed myself. I've had some friends, and even guys I've dated, take words I've written and put them to song.

So, where I'm going with this...is that since I'm keeping up with my writing again, the next stage is to explore it more and develop my words into poems and songs. Who knows where it will go?

I love music so much, but don't really play an instrument. I used to sing in choir but now it's just in my car, with my friends, or whatever. So...maybe I could look into songwriting. Why not?

Jeff is a great example of someone pursuing a dream and turning it into reality. Thanks, Jeff for inspiring me to do the same...for the random contact that led me to discovering your amazing talent. Thank you...truly.

All this after only hearing a few of your songs... Heh heh heh... What more of when your entire album comes out? ;-)

Opening act for the evening, she was really good! Pretty much just her at the keyboard, and with a cellist accompanying her. I wasn't expecting this performance, as it wasn't listed in some of the promotion I'd seen for the show.Wasn't quite sure what was gonna play before me and if I'd like it or not. I was anxious for AA Bondy to take the stage already.

I'm glad to have listened to her though. Her music is original and unique. I love the way her voice flowed up and down with the melodies. Her songs tell these little stories. I'll have to pick up her album now, and listen to more of her stuff.AA BONDY - www.myspace.com/aabondy

Although the second act of three for the evening, he is the main performance I came to see. He sang two of my favorite songs, "There's A Reason" and "Black Rain" which I previously posted what documentation I could get with a RAZR phone. I wish he would've done "Rapture", but I was still very pleased with his setlist and the whole overall performance.

He has a very Dylan-esque quality about him. His simple, no frills performance reminded me of old Bob Dylan performances on the Johnny Cash show and the like. I think there was only one song where another guy played with him, but pretty much it was just AA Bondy, his guitar, his harmonica, and his music. Although, reminiscent of a young Dylan, Bondy still has a unique sound and intriguing lyrics. I find his music captivating and soulful. I can't wait to see him perform again.

THE WEAKERTHANS - www.theweakerthans.orgI like them! I wasn't able to stay for their whole performance, but did stay for about 5 of their songs. Some of which I'd heard from iTunes before. I must say, the songs I'd already heard, I liked...but really enjoyed much more after the live performance. They had a really good energy and presence onstage. I will have to get the rest of their tracks for my iPod now.

Not the greatest recording quality, and only 15 seconds long each, but who cares? Here he sings "There's A Reason", my favorite song off his debut album, American Hearts. The lyrics can be found in my blog entry from March 14. Aptly titled, "There's A Reason".

Performing one of my other favorites, "Black Rain".

The Weakerthans peforming "Sun In An Empty Room", from the album Reunion Tour.

You may be wondering why I'm starting off the first entry to this blog with an event that took place last year. Or then again, maybe you aren't.

Either way, it's because I just felt like it. Ha ha.

Really though, read on and learn why.

First off, Smashing Pumpkins has always been one of my favorite bands. I first heard "Drown" on the Singles movie soundtrack back in 1992, and wondered what they were about. Then Siamese Dream came out, and I fell in love with their sound. Ok...and with Billy Corgan.

Like now, I listened to all kinds of music back in high school. Even liked some R&B/Hip Hop "a la Babyface". It wasn't until the last couple years at St. Mary's, when I really listened to the music that is more along the lines of what I like today. I got into Nirvana, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam and Jane's Addiction.

But there was just something unexplainable in what Smashing Pumpkins did for me. Their sound was so unique and different, especially during the time. The lyrics, the melodies, the guitar solos, and Billy's hypnotic voice. Smashing Pumpkins rocked.

Over the years of different band members, I never made it to one of their shows. So, I was devastated when they broke up...kickin' myself that I never got to see them play.

Fast forward to 2007, when I learned that Billy & Jimmy Chamberlin, along with new members Jeff Schroeder, Lisa Harriton and Ginger Reyes were bringing the Pumpkins back. AND that they'd be playing a 9 day residency only a few hours away. I was DEFINITELY not going to miss them this time, and was ecstatic to get tickets for the show. Even if it was a bit of a road trip and I was going with my ex, who is actually an amazing guitarist and shares my love for SP's music.

I was pretty much in the front row so I had a really good view. It was a great show even if James Iha and D'Arcy Wretzky were no longer in the band. At least Jimmy was still on drums and of course...my, Billy was front and center, rockin' out. He is the main reason I fell in love with their music to begin with. *sigh* I can't help but find his voice so captivating.

I actually had tickets to see them again on Oct. 30 in Atlanta, but the show got canceled last minute and I couldn't make the rescheduled date. I WILL see them play again someday...

Ok, enough background on my love for Billy and SP. The first single off of Zeitgeist - their first album in almost 7 years - was "Tarantula." The lyrics are as follows:

I don't want to fightEvery single nightEverything I want is in your light.You and me go thereTo places I don't know to careThe spoils of all I got were left to scrounge.Don't let me say this,but you're no worse than me,It's crazy.We all are real, if real ever was, it's just becauseWe all feel, feel we've had enough,I'm real, 'cause someone gave us sound.I wanna be there when you're happyI wanna love you when you're sad.Can't stand the morning rainGet out and take your place thenCan't stand the blazing sunThen close your eyes you'll seeThe angel die.I don't want to beAnything for theseA million watts of sound can't compare.Come along you'll see the worldThe pulse ripples, the crowd unfurlsThe current starts to flow and they are on.Oh it's a white hot soul they want,sinful.You're real, if real ever was, it's just becauseWe all are real, every living soulYes I'm real, 'cause someone gave us sound.Don't break the oathI want to love you when you're happy,Don't break this oathI want to be there when you're sad,Please bring the pouring rain.Beyond real, as real as any ghost,It's easy now,I'm real, in every living soulGod gave us.Can't stand the blazing sunCan't stand the morning rainGet out and take your place again.I don't want to be aloneI don't want to be aloneI don't want to be aloneAlone.If it's a white hot soul they wantIt's a black heart they'll get.

Obviously, the name of this particular entry and the whole blog itself, originates from the lyrics in this song.

Homage to a musical visionary.

PS ~ Billy...You can love me when I'm happy and you can be there when I'm sad. :) You can just HAVE me!